Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

August 3, 2004

Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m.

In attendance: Selectman John C. Brayshaw – Chairman, Selectman Peter St. James and Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt.

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

George Packard met with the Selectmen to inform them about an upcoming theater project "I Wanted Minta", a play based on the life of Caroline Gardner Bartlett. Evening performances will be on November 4, 5 & 6, 2004 at the Warner Town Hall. The Selectmen will contact the Charitable Foundation to see if this event qualifies for a contribution.

Selectman Eigabroadt presented a property card policy in draft form for the Selectmen’s review. Selectman Eigabroadt and Selectman St. James will review the tax information process that takes place between the Assessing Clerk and the Tax Collector.

Selectman Eigabroadt made a motion to correct a property card, Map 16 Lot 2 as a non-buildable lot. Selectman St. James seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Selectman Eigabroadt met with Bud Fitch, Assistant Attorney General regarding accessibility to the polling area. A corrective action response will be sent, along with a request for funding toward a handicap accessible voting booth.

The Selectmen discussed a request from a property owner (Glen Davis) to purchase a piece of town property (Map 3 Lot 16-1). The Selectmen are in agreement not to sell the property. A letter will be sent to Mr. Davis explaining the Board’s decision.

The Selectmen received a request from Carol M. Breault to lower the speed limit 35 mph to 30 mph on Old Warner Road. The request will be forwarded to the Highway Safety Committee.

Selectman St. James on behalf of the Board of Selectmen expressed condolences to the family and friends of Charlie Brown. Mr. Brown resided in the Town of Warner for most of his 93 years and was also an historical icon for information.

The Selectmen reviewed a request to abate timber tax on a property that was logged, Map 10 Lot 67-2. The Selectmen were in agreement not to grant the abatement. The filing period for such a request was also past due.

Selectman Eigabroadt will be sending a letter to the Department of Transportation regarding the placement of a "no parking to corner" sign. One will be placed at the corner of Mill Street and Main Street and one directly across the street near the curve. Also, relocating the crosswalk in front of the Town Hall was discussed. The crosswalk is currently to close to parking spaces.

Selectman Eigabroadt commented that the hiring of personnel does not belong within the Capital Improvements Plan. Personnel positions are between the Department Heads and the Board of Selectmen. A letter will be sent to the Planning Board explaining the omitting of personnel positions within the Capitol Improvements.

The Selectmen approved building permits for the following properties:

Map 17 Lot 004-1 New Home Map 13 Lot 31 Garage

Map 34 Lot 16 Deck Map 11 Lot 32 Addition

Selectman Eigabroadt asked permission to purchase a computer for the Selectmen’s office, keeping within the 5% budget restraint.

The September 7, 2004 Selectmen’s meeting will be held at the Police Department.

The Selectmen proceeded with the 2005 budget process:

As of February of 2004 the cost of living was at 2.1%. Selectman St. James made a motion stating for planning purposes all Department Heads use 2.5 % cost of living adjustment to all wages. Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The Selectmen separated 911 Coordinator and coverage for the Selectmen’s office. The Selectmen budgeted 50 hours (733.00) for 911 Coordinator and added a line item titled Selectmen’s Coverage amounting to 90 hours @ $10.37 per hour ($934.00). The Selectmen proceeded to make appropriate changes to the Town Officers Salaries budget.

The Selectmen created a schedule to meet with all departments for the 2005 budget review. Performance Evaluations will be passed on with a September 1, 2004 due date.

Elections budget for 2005 was completed. Three elections along with hours for Town Meeting were calculated.

Chairman Brayshaw announced to the Board that due to personal reasons he is stepping down as Chairman. Selectman St. James made the motion to appoint Selectman Eigabroadt as Chairman. Selectman Brayshaw seconded the motion. All were in favor. Selectman Brayshaw stated for the record that both Selectman Eigabroadt and Selectman St. James, for the short time that both have been in office, have demonstrated through their actions that they have only the best interest of the town in mind.

Motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.